Category: Women’s Ministry

Partners in the Gospel – Philippians 1 – 2025 Day 190

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 9, Philippians 1

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:1-11 ESV

I love Paul’s humility as he opens this letter. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ” — not “Paul, the one chosen by God to spread the gospel throughout the world, and Timothy my little brother,” nor “Paul, a servant of Christ, and Timothy, my disciple.”

Then, I noticed Paul’s subtle encouragement for humility on the part of his readers as well. Paul is writing this letter to all the saints in Philippi along with the overseers and deacons. He isn’t writing to the overseers and deacons and then telling them, “Hey, share this info with those other saints among you.”

When Paul says in verse 3, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” expressing his gratitude that they have been partners in the gospel – in receiving the gospel and in sharing the gospel – he’s not just writing (or even primarily writing) to the elders, deacons, evangelists, and pastors. He’s writing to each and every believer in the body of Christ at Philippi. Each one of them are his partner because each of them (each of us) are partakers with Paul of God’s grace (verse 7). Paul wants each one of them to know how much he loves them, and how much he wants them to abound with more and more love, knowledge, and discernment.

My dear friends, my sisters, my fellow servants of Jesus Christ, I echo Paul’s words. I want you to know all this, too! Whether you’re a 95-year-old great grandmother who has been studying the Bible verse by verse since you were “knee high to a grasshopper,” or you are a brand new believer reading Philippians for the first time, I am thankful for your partnership in the gospel. I want you to know the Word better … so that you will know God better … so that you will love Him more and glorify Him better. I want you to have deeper knowledge of the Lord so that you may accurately discern what is excellent and what is evil, so that your heart and your life may be pure when you meet Jesus face-to-face and so that the watching world will see your good works and be drawn to give glory and praise to God.

Photo by Jeremy Mosley on Pexels.com

I love how each of Paul’s words seem to pour into the next, like a stream rolling over a series of rocks until finally being deposited into the deep, wide, quiet lake of the glory and praise to God.

  • I want you to know how much I love you, how thankful I am for you, how often I pray for you,
  • that you would love God more,
  • that you would know Him more,
  • that you would be able to easily recognize what is good and what is not,
  • that you may be pure and blameless, full of righteous fruits … to the glory and praise of God.

That’s the end goal. The end goal isn’t about you, your happiness and holiness, your comfort and peace. The end goal is that God would be praise and glorified. And the irony in that is that your joy is ultimately found in bringing God glory. I am never happier than when I am in the fellowship of other believers, worshipping the Lord together in song and prayer and Bible study.

I wonder – Do you have any sisters and brothers who are your partners in the gospel? If so, have you told them how much they mean to you? If not, let me encourage you to find them … now. Find a local body of believers. Join a small group of women (or men) who pray for each other. Study the Bible with a few other sisters.

If you’re not familiar with Community Bible Study, check into them. They have groups all over the world. If you’re in the Memphis area, I invite you to join the Collierville, Tennessee group. We meet in person on Wednesday mornings or online on Thursday evenings.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for each faithful partner in the gospel that You have put into my life. Some of them live just minutes away from me, while others live on the other side of the world. Thank You for each one of them, from the newest believer to the most seasoned saint. I pray that their love will abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, that they may approve what is excellent and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory of praise of Your Name! In the Blessed and Holy Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

“Christus Victor (Amen)” – Keith & Kristyn Getty

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Motive Matters – Numbers 35-36 – 2025 Day 187

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 6, Numbers 35-36

“These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there. But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. Or if he struck him down with a wooden tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.” – Numbers 35:15-18 ESV

Intent matters. God knows our hearts. He knows our intentions. He knows when we mean to be mean. He knows when a day’s stewing has turned into an evening’s spewing, and He knows when a harsh word was spoken thoughtlessly with no ill will.

And yet, even accidents have consequences and penalties. Like Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,” (Matthew 12:36 ESV)

You can’t unsqueeze an orange,
and you can’t put toothpaste back into the tube.

Running a stop sign because you’re replying to a text or speeding down the highway because you’re late for work, cursing at your son or screaming hateful words at your husband, can have life-altering effects for you and others. Let’s be careful stewards of how we live and how we speak.

Heavenly Father, Help us to be good stewards of every breath and every minute You give us. Give us the strength and wisdom we need to think before we speak or act. Let us not murder in our thoughts, words, or deeds. Let us not revile in return, but rather help us to overcome evil with good. Let us fight fire with the living water of Your word. Help us forgive others, remembering how much we have been forgiven. May we be holy as You are holy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray. Amen.

Jesus Paid it All – Joey & Rory
Part 1 of a 5-part series on “Reviling”

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Is My Belly My God? – Numbers 11-12 – 2025 Day 174

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 142; Numbers 11-12

In Numbers 11, the Israelites are again complaining about their misfortunes. Despite being miraculously delivered from their slavery in Egypt, despite being given daily manna that tasted like cakes and fell like dew upon the camp each night, the people are discontent. They are remembering the meat and fish, the cucumbers and melons, the leeks and onions and garlic, that they had back in Egypt. It reminded me of this verse in Philippians.

“Their end is destruction, their god is their belly,
and they glory in their shame,
with minds set on earthly things.

Philippians 3:19 ESV

And I’m afraid that is not only a problem for those greedy Israelites. It’s a problem for me. Sadly, the three F’s have been my downfall in recent years: food, Facebook, and phone. Are any of you with me? I have successfully been loosed from Facebook for over a year now, and it feels amazing!

How can we battle these earthly things that war for our minds? I’ve found two things that really help me: Setting boundaries and being thankful for what I have.

Setting limits for how much time I spend on my phone has been crucial in this battle.

I’m also learning to set limits for what I eat, but boy has it been hard!

My obsession with food began much younger than my obsession with my phone. Over the years, I’ve tried a variety of diets, but nothing has ever been sustainable for me long-term. I’ve used the Weight Watchers Smart Points system off and on for about two years now and have successfully reached my goal weight. It encourages me to get active and make healthy food choices – filling my belly with vegetables, fruit, and lean meats rather than cookies, candy, and creamer.

By the way, for those of you who also struggle with food and phones, I highly recommend both Wendy Speake’s books: The 40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation and The 40-Day Social Media Fast: Exchange Your Online Distractions for Real-Life Devotion

And BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE!

The Israelites complained
while they were slaves in Egypt.
Now they’re free, but they’re still complaining.
Ask yourself this question,
“When will it ever be enough?”

Heavenly Father, Thank You for every single thing I have. They are gifts from Your good hands. Thank you for my family. Thank you for my freedom. Thank you for my faith. These F’s are so much better than food, Facebook, and my phone. Help me to hunger for You as I hunger for fat, rich food. Help me to turn to You rather than turning to my phone. Satisfy me with Your love. You are enough. You are more than enough. By Faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us with Your Love) – Shane and Shane

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A Prayer for my Family and my Nation based on the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6 – 2025 Day 172

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 140; Numbers 6:22-8:26

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

As Aaron and his sons prayed this over the people of Israel, I want to pray this over my family and nation. Will you join me?

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would bless my husband, my children, my grandchildren, and my nation with Your wisdom and peace. Guide them in the way that they should go. Protect them from the deceitful schemes of the evil one. Give them discerning spirits to recognize what is good and what is evil and grant them wisdom to choose that which is good.

I pray that Your face would be turned toward them, and that their hearts would likewise be turned toward You. Be gracious to them, Father. Pour Your love upon them according to Your steadfast love and mercy. May Your goodness shine gloriously upon them and out of them, that the nations of the world would be drawn to faith in Your Son.

I pray that You would smile upon them, filling their hearts with joy, hope, peace, and purpose, that they would know that You have good plans for them, plans to prosper them and not to harm them. May they follow You all the days of their lives, acknowledging You in all their ways. Please, Father, make their ways straight – not crooked or deceitful or false, not devious or evil. May they not be ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first but also to the Gentile.

Finally, Father, I pray that the peace which surpasses all comprehension would guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the only path to peace. He is the Only Way to You, Father. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His blood is the covering that we need to be reconciled to You, Lord. His blood is the way of redemption. May they have peace with God and peace with man, peace in their hearts and peace in their homes. And may this peace draw them to worship You and tell others about You.

In the Holy, Almighty Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

CLICK HERE TO PRAY WITH ME ALOUD – VIDEO LINK ON YOUTUBE.

“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” Acappella Hymn – SE Samonte
“May the Lord Bless You” – Sing through the Bible
“The Lord Bless Thee” Scripture Song – Keep the Word

God is My Witness and My Judge – 2025 Day 171 – Numbers 5:1-6:21

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 139, Numbers 5:1-6:21

Growing up my dad and my grandfather were both lawyers, I participated in mock trial and debate, and I watched countless episodes of Judge Wapner presiding over “The People’s Court.” 😄 I saw the importance of having a good judge as well as good witnesses and good evidence. The judge could only rule so far as the witnesses and evidence proved the case. Without good witnesses and good evidence, you couldn’t win.

In reading the very strange passage in Numbers 5 about how a jealous husband was to prove his wife either innocent or guilty of adultery, I was reminded of how often men and women simply don’t know what is true. In the case of adultery, there will always be at least one witness – the man or woman who you are with – but there is also another witness: God. We may not know what someone else is up to behind closed doors or in the dark of night, but we can trust beyond a shadow of a doubt that God does.

God knows the secret thoughts of our hearts,
and God knows the secret deeds of our bodies.

Is that scary to think about? Yes, frankly, it is. But it is also so very freeing. I don’t need to snoop through my husband’s online history or the pockets of his pants. I don’t need to dig through his trash or his wallet. I don’t need to track his driving history or figure out his whereabouts every minute of the day. Why? Because God always sees him, even when I don’t.

God is not only the perfect judge, He is also the perfect witness. He can judge perfectly, because He knows everyone’s heart and everyone’s motives, everyone’s thoughts and everyone’s actions. He can place blame with perfect righteousness and justice because He knows exactly what happened. He knows who said what. He knows the way of escape that He provided. He knows how your conscience was pricked. He knows it all.

If your life has been touched by the sins of fornication, lust, and adultery, then you know how far-reaching their tentacles can spread. As is often the case, the sins of others can lead you to into the snares of sin in your own life – the sins of bitterness, anger, jealousy, suspicion, manipulation, and the list goes on. Let me encourage you with the words of Peter, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling with reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9) and the words of Paul, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

I pray that we would take the higher road, the road of blessing and good, that we would live the more excellent way, the way of love. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not proud; it is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6)

I pray that we would be like the model wife of Proverbs 31, that our husbands could truly trust us because we are faithful to do them good and not harm all the days of our life, that strength and dignity would be our clothing, that we would be able laugh at the times to come because we have such great faith in God. I pray that we would open our mouths with wisdom and that the teaching of kindness would always be on our tongues. (Proverbs 31:10-11, 25-26)

I pray that we would be 1 Peter 3 wives, bravely being subject to our own husbands, so that even if they do not obey the word, they might be won without a word by our respectful and pure conduct. I pray that our radiant beauty would come from the inside out, that the imperishable beauty of a gentle, quiet spirit would glow from within us. I pray that we would be holy women whose hope is in God, faithfully doing good and not fearing anything that is frightening.

Dear sisters, someday your boyfriend, your husband, your sons and daughters, will appear before the judgment seat of God. Someday their secret things will be judged. Someday what was hidden in the dark will be brought into the light.

But that isn’t only true for them;
it’s also true for us.
Our hearts and our lives
will be laid bare before Him, too.

What will He find there? What will He unearth in our hearts? What will He witness in watching how we chose to live our lives?

Will He find bitterness, wrath, envy, and jealousy … or peace, faith, hope, and contentment?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, You are the perfect judge, and You are the perfect witness. No one is hidden from your sight. Someday everything hidden will be brought into the light. I pray that my faith would be in You and not in me. I am so weak, Lord. I am so prone to wander, to leave the God I love. Help me, please. I need You. Give me Your strength. Help me to overcome evil with good because You are good and I am Your child. Help me to repay wrong with blessing because that is the example that You gave to me, that You loved me while I was yet a sinner. Help me to go and do likewise. Guide me step by steap in the way that I should go. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Brother, my Friend and Lord, I pray. Amen.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

– Psalm 139:1-12 ESV

“They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

– Romans 2:15-16 ESV

“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

– 1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

– 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 ESV

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.””

– Revelation 21:6-8 ESV

“”Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

– Revelation 22:12-17 ESV

Check out my video podcast from today’s lesson on YouTube.

Jesus, Our Judge and Our Savior –
Sovereign Grace Music

The Lord’s Discipline – Hebrews 12 – 2025 Day 166

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 134; Hebrews 12

After hobbling around in a walking boot for six weeks, I was so tired of it. I wanted to throw it straight in the trash. I felt like it was hindering me and making me weak, when actually it was helping me heal properly.

It’s like the Lord’s discipline. The Lord is a good Father, a perfect Father. He wants for our good. He wants to teach us and train us. He wants to “raise us up right,” and that means that He is diligently working to conform us into the image of His Son.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Hebrews 12:11-13 ESV

I don’t want to be left lame. I don’t want to be left weak. I don’t want to have to walk the crooked path. No. I don’t. I need the Lord’s discipline – and so do you.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for making me Your daughter. It’s so good to be Your daughter. Thank You that You are not punishing me as Your enemy, but disciplining me as Your daughter. You want for my good. You want to make me straight and strong, and You want to teach me to walk on the straight paths. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances and to trust that the path You have me on is Your will for me in Christ Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith and the Savior of my soul. For it is in His holy name that I pray. Amen

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT TODAY’S VIDEO PODCAST ON YOUTUBE.

Holy, Holy, Holy (We Bow Before Thee) – Shane and Shane

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Together – Hebrews 10 – 2025 Day 163

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 130; Hebrews 10

When I was little, I loved the Sesame Street book, The Together Book, which features pairs of things that need to be together. A wagon needs wheels. A milkshake needs a straw. A sled needs a hill. And Grover needs Big Bird to push him on the swing.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

I love how these verses pair these two ideas together: hold fast to the confession of our hope and meet together with other believers.

  • We need to hold fast to our faith, and we hold fast to other believers.
  • We need to cling to the gospel, and we need to cling to our sisters and brothers.
  • We need to keep our hope in God, and we need to keep the encouragement of our faith family.

Sisters, I need you, and you need me, and we both need God and the gospel. Let me encourage you, and please come encourage me. We need each other.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the hope that is mine because of what Jesus did for me. And thank You for giving me sisters to encourage me when life is hard, for You knew that life would be hard. I pray for my sisters who aren’t active, participating members of a local fellowship of believers. Please show them their need for encouragement and exhortation, and please direct them to a local Bible believing, Bible preaching community of Christ-followers. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT TODAY’S VIDEO PODCAST ON YOUTUBE.

The Together Book – Sesame Street
Ancient of Days – Shane and Shane

The Sharp Scalpel of the Word – Hebrews 4 – 2025 Day 157

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 124; Hebrews 4

For the word of God is living and active
and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, 
of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, 
but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Hebrews 4:12-13 NASB95

I remember when I had my “jubilee year” physical, and my doctor told me that it was time for my first colonoscopy. Friends, I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to be on a liquid diet and tethered to the toilet for 24 hours. I didn’t want to be put under anesthesia, and I most certainly didn’t want to have my bottom examined by strangers. But, it was the right thing to do, because those unseen things inside me needed to be exposed and inspected, so that whatever impurities needed to be removed could be clearly seen.

So, I did it, even though I didn’t want to. And now, looking back, I’m glad I did. Even though it was painful, it was for my good, not for my harm

Friends, do you believe that the Bible you are holding in your hands is the very Word of God, that the God who spoke the world into existence, the One who holds your life and eternity in His Almighty hands, is the very God who breathed out the words of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, as well as Matthew, John, and Hebrews? Do you believe that God’s written Word is as powerful as His spoken Word?

If you do indeed believe that, then take a moment to ponder how that should affect your life.

If God’s spoken word can cause lands and seas to appear, and birds to fly across the sky, then surely His written word can cause the dead to be born again. If God’s spoken word can cause soldiers to fall to the ground (John 18:6), then we ought to trust that God’s written word can convict even the hardest heart and bring them to repentance. If God’s spoken word can change the world, then we should trust that God’s written word can change your heart and life.

Sometimes we’re afraid to go to the doctor because we don’t want to hear the bad news.

Sometimes we refuse to be put under the knife, because we don’t want to go through the inevitable pain that will follow.

Oh, but friends, just like I’d tell you to go to the dermatologist for that suspicious spot on your nose, I’m telling you to get your nose into the Word. You need it. I need it. We need the double-edged sword of the Word.

Like a scalpel in the hands of an expert surgeon, God’s Word can root out the cancerous diseases of pride and selfishness and sin. God’s Word has pierced my heart time after time. Each time it hurts, but each time it’s good.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Your Word. It is indeed living and active. It is life-giving and powerful. It reveals truth to me and it pierces my soul. I pray for my sisters who are afraid, who don’t want to read it, who know that they need heart surgery, but are running away in fear. Please remind them of Your goodness and mercy, that You are the perfect physician and judge who wants for their good and not for their harm. Help us to hunger for You and to find You in Your written Word. May we not perish for lack of knowledge while Your Word sits unopened on the shelf. In the name of Jesus, the Living Word we pray, Amen.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEO PODCAST FROM TODAY’S MESSAGE.

Your Words are Wonderful (Psalm 119) – Sovereign Grace Music

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Encouragement and Exhortation – Hebrews 3 – 2025 Day 156

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 123, Hebrews 3

Depending on what translation you’re using, Hebrews 3:13 might say that we need to encourage or exhort one another every day, that none of us would be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. This English word for “encourage” or “exhort” is the Greek word “parakaleo,” a verb that literally means to call near or to call to one’s side.

http://www.BlueLetterBible.com

I love this idea of encouragement or exhortation literally meaning to call near or to call to one’s side. It’s not standing behind you, pushing you forward, commanding you to get going. It’s calling you up to walk with me.

Come on, friend. Come with me.
Walk this journey with me.
Hold my hand. Let’s walk together.
God is with us. He will give us the strength that we need. Jesus has walked this road before and given us an example. We can persevere by His grace and His Spirit at work in us.

This is your call to persevere. It’s easy to drift downstream, but it takes effort to fight against the current. If we want to go upstream, we have to put our paddles in the water and do the work.

But we are not called to row alone. Let’s get in the boat together. When we both put our hands to the oars and pull together side by side, we can go farther and accomplish more than we ever could on our own.

  • Who in your life needs some encouragement?
  • Who can you parakaleo – call to your side – today?
  • In what area of your life is God calling you to persevere?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of encouragement we have in Your Holy Spirit. He is our paraclete, our helper and advocate. We are not alone. You are always with us. I pray for each of my sisters and brothers who are feeling lonely, who feel like they are rowing all by themselves in the middle of a vast ocean. Lord, help them to remember that You are with them, and that there is a vast army of believers surrounding them, rowing alongside them. Please place your lonesome children into a body of believers who can parakaleo them, rowing with them and encouraging them to keep going until the final finish line, until the moment they hear Your voice saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In the name of Jesus Christ, our advocate, we pray. Amen.

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Separate – Leviticus 20 – 2025 Day 149

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 119:1-40; Leviticus 20

The Israelites were to be a set apart people in Egypt and now they are to be a set apart people in Canaan. God pulled them out of a nation of idol-worshippers, and now He’s sending them into a new nation of idol-worshippers.

God has always been – and will always be – holy. It is His very nature. To be holy, by definition, means to be set apart.

From the beginning of creation God separated. He separated the light from the dark, the water above from the water below, the land from the sea, the day from the night. He made animals of different kinds and He designed the animals to reproduce after their own kinds.

From the beginning of the nation of Israel, God desires His people to be separated from the nations. And when God gave Moses instructions for building the tabernacle, He told Moses to hang a veil to separate the Most Holy Place where the priest would meet with Him. (Exodus 26:33)

Yet, mankind doesn’t like to be separate. We like to mix and mingle. We like to be part of the crowd. We like to fit in.

So God says,

You shall be holy to me,
for I the LORD am holy
and have separated you from the peoples that you should be mine.

Leviticus 20:26 ESV

Heavenly Father, please give us the strength to be separate, to stand out from the crowd. Help us to remember that even when we feel alone, You are with us. Please place like-minded believers into our lives who can encourage us and hold up our arms when we feel weak. We especially pray for our children and other young people who have to learn to swim upstream in a current that wants to pull them down. Make us holy for You, our Creator and Father, are holy. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Genesis 1:4 ESV — And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:6 ESV — And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”

Genesis 1:14 ESV — And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,”

Exodus 26:33 ESV — And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.

Refiner’s Fire – Brian Doerksen